Role Playing
Senior guard LaRon Bryant had a very specific role last year. When the Gauchos needed a long-range shooting threat, he was one of first players called upon. Often times, particularly as the season wore on, he responded. This year his role will likely expand. While Bryant will still be one of the team's primary outside scoring threats, he will be expected to improve his game defensively and to show some versatility on the offensive end of the court.

Dial 1-800-LaRon Bryant
Please, don't actually call that number. We have no idea where it leads, but the point is, UCSB called LaRon Bryant's number last year when they needed a long distance connection, and by the end of the year, he was answering the call pretty regularly. After opening the season by going 4-for-22 (18.2%) from three-point range in his first six games, Bryant started to heat-up. In his final 17 games, he made 27-of-53, an outstanding 51.0%. Overall, he finished as the team-leader in three-point percentage at 41.3% and despite ranking ninth on the team in minutes played, his 31 three-pointers overall ranked second on the team. In Big West play, Bryant hit exactly half of his attempts from beyond the three-point arc, going 15-for-30 and on four occasions he hit a season-high of three three-point buckets.

For Local Calls, Try Another Number
While he was clearly one of the teams's most feared three-point threats, Bryant didn't receive many local calls. In other words, he didn't take nearly as many two-point shots as he did three-pointers. In all, Bryant attempted 111 field goals, making 46. From two-point territory, he attempted only 36 shots and made 15. Bryant never attempted more than four two-point shots in any single game.

Give Him Time, He'll Score
Bryant made the most of minutes offensively. While he averaged only 5.8 points per game, he did so while averaging only 11.9 minutes per contest. Bryant actually led the team in points per 40 minutes played at 19.5. On four occasions, his scoring total equaled or surpassed his minutes-played total. Against Concordia, he had ten points in ten minutes. At UC Irvine he scored ten points in ten minutes. At New Mexico State he had six points in six minutes. And against Cal State Fullerton, he tallied 11 points in only ten minutes.

LaRon Bryant Notes:

2000-01: LaRon Bryant is one of the UCSB's most dependable outside shooters and this year his role should be similar to the 1999-2000 season...Has range out to 25-feet...Very physically strong player.

1999-2000: Bryant had an up and down first year as a Gaucho...Finished as the team's fifth-leading scorer at 5.8 points per game...Played in 23 of 28 games, starting three...Despite ranking ninth on the team in minutes played, his 31 three-point baskets were the second highest total of any Gaucho...In fact, 67.4% of Bryant's buckets were three-pointers...His 41.3% from three-point range led the team...After a slow start (4-of-21 from three-point range, 19.0%), he closed with a rush, drilling 39-of-80 (48.7%) over the final 17 games...Scored in double-figures six times, including a season-high 15 points in a road win at Loyola Marymount...In back-to-back wins over LMU and St. Mary's, Bryant made six three-pointers and averaged 13.5 points and 4.5 rebounds...Had 11 point games vs. St. Mary's and Cal State FullertonMade three-pointers in 17 of his 23 games...Played double-figures in minutes 14 times, but only five times in 16 Big West games.

Junior College: Played for two seasons at American River College in Sacramento...Averaged 18.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game...A first team All-State and first team All-Bay Valley East Conference selection...Bryant set an American River record and ranked second in the state with 115 three-point baskets...Made 115-of-232 shots from three-point range as a sophomore, an amazing 49.5%...In his two seasons at American River, Bryant hit a school record 207 three-point buckets...Scored a career-high 34 points in a 1999 game against Sierra College...His career-high of ten rebounds came against Solano College during his freshman season...Also had career-bests of seven assists (vs. Sacramento City College), four steals (vs. Kings River College), six blocked shots (vs. Porterville College) and six three-point baskets (vs. Consumnes College)...As a freshman, he averaged 16.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game...Nailed 92 three-pointers in his first season American River...Bryant was also a first team All-Bay Valley East Conference selection as a freshman...Made 45.0% of his three-pointers in his first season...Coached by Mark Georgie as a sophomore at American River.

High School: Prepped at Grant High School in Sacramento...Bryant was selected All-State following his senior season, All-City following his junior and senior season and All-Capital Athletic League as a sophomore, junior and senior...Averaged 22.0 points, 7.1 rebounds. 4.3 assists and 4.0 steals per game as a senior...As a junior, Bryant checked in at 18.0 points, five assists and two rebounds...Scored a career-high 44 points against Highlands High School during his junior season...Also recorded his best of ten rebounds as a junior against Hiram Johnson High School...Passed off for a career-high seven assists against Cordova High School...Set a school-record with ten three-point baskets during a game against Fairfield High School as a senior...Also hold's Grant's career record for most three-point hoops...As a junior, Bryant helped lead Grant to a CIF Championship and a spot in the California State Tournament...Coached by Erik Satterwhite in high school.

Personal: LaRon Bryant was born in March 26, 1979 in Stockton, CA...A Psychology Major...Bryant is thinking about a career in counseling...Claims that at times he can be the funniest person on the team...Michael Jordan is his favorite athlete...His most memorable moment ever was scoring 44 points in a high school...Rush Hour is his favorite movie and Martin is his favorite television show...The son of Delores Thomas and Lewis Felix.